Scott BresslerAt the end of this season, the Washington University basketball team will lose its only senior to graduation, co-captain Sarah Tibesar. She has been at Wash. U. for five years pursuing a dual degree. In May, she will receive a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an MBA This year marks her third as a member of the women’s basketball team.
“I signed up for a PE racquetball class in fall semester of 2005 and was noticed for my height. The basketball coaches asked me if I’d like to try out for the team, and the rest is history. I consider it a very fortunate accident that I ended up playing basketball here,” said Tibesar.
Though she began playing for Wash. U. as a junior, the 6-3 Tibesar was no stranger to the game.
“I played on my first basketball team when I was in fourth grade, but I’d been watching games for years at that point. My two older brothers both played basketball when we were growing up, so I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t following at least one of their teams when I was little,” said Tibesar.
She also played volleyball and was a member of the track and field team in high school.
“I enjoy playing all kinds of sports for fun, but basketball has always been my favorite and the one that I’m most eager to put a lot of effort into improving at,” she added.
In three years at Washington University, Tibesar has averaged around 1.5 points per game and usually grabs a rebound or two.
Tibesar leads by example. “She has a passion for the tradition of the program. Whatever role she has to do she understands,” said Head Coach Nancy Fahey. “The thing that’s going to hold [with me] is the number of times we sat in this gym and how many extra minutes she puts into her game. She comes in all the time.”
Tibesar also helps keep team morale high, which is important in winning games.
“She’s good at keeping her head up and being positive and really supportive no matter what’s going on,” added junior point guard Shanna-Lei Dacanay.
“She really has a great sense of humor and knows how to make people laugh,” stated fellow co-captain Jill Brandt, a junior. “When she takes a charge, it just refuels the team and gets everyone else going.”
Tibesar and the Lady Bears play their final regular season game Saturday against the University of Chicago. Both teams have a 10-3 UAA record, and the winner will claim the UAA title for the 2007-2008 season. The Maroons and the Bears last met on Jan. 12 in St. Louis to open UAA play, a game won by the Lady Bears 67-56.